asaddd

I took my 2016 AMG GTS to INTERSPORT in VA to install H&R lowring springs. The owner said, Yeah should be around $1500 TO INSTALL AND $300 to align. I gave him the car. Now i get the bill, its 2000 for the install and $500 for the alignment, and there is a not in the attachment it said, "WASNT ABLE TO FINE TUNE CAMBER OR CASTER TO MERCEDES EXACT SPEC. WILL NEED TO BUY CAMBER KIT"

Does $500 sound normal for an alignment? and specially when its not even done properly. The Tech's note says, need camber kit. Does that mean the shop did not have the equipment to perform the camber alignment properly?

Please help. I think I am getting ripped-off!

koifysh

no, find another place asap! The most I paid for mine amg gts and c63 coupe was $340. That’s with everything being adjustable, front and rear camber, caster, front and rear toe.

dlefty

Figure close to $300 for the 2 packages of alignment shims, so $500 doesn’t seem too unreasonable, figuring it may have taken them some labor time in top of that obviously. And without the MB software telling them direction in which number shim is suggested for what part of the car, could have gone back and forth a couple hours.
alignment on these cars is very involved, many don’t understand…..

thebishman

They simply can’t have made any noticeable adjustment to the alignment without having at least 2 OEM shim kits, so how can they charge you $500 for something they couldn’t do?

Acta_Non_Verba

Agree Bish...According to the invoice they spent 3 labor hours at it, doing what...Adjusting toe? They couldn't get caster or camber.

badbenzz

My MB dealer charged me $199.99 after I lowered my car....

Acta_Non_Verba

Hi Asaddd,

I've read your post and looked at the invoice you posted. Some replies here are not understanding your situation.

The shop charged you $504 for the alignment which is 100% labor (3 hrs @$168.00 = $504). They did not purchase or use the shim kits obviously as they commented about that on the invoice. A good shop would have said they couldn't do it and would have waived the $500. This shop is hoping you'll pay it not knowing you have nothing for the money.

Essentially they spent 3 hours ($504) adjusting toe (which is ridiculous). Even if they attempted caster and camber without the shims they couldn't even get in the ballpark. I've done 4 wheel alignments. Even off a Hunter machine I can usually get all four corners done in 3 hours. Also, if all they did was toe, when you finally get caster and camber done at a competent shop, the toe adjustments are for not BC toe will change when you alter caster and/or camber.

When I've done alignments, toe is last. You have to get caster and camber correct as they too will go back/forth with each adjustment. Once caster and camber are correct, then toe can be set.

Bottom line - Did you get ripped off? Answer - yes.

My suggestion is to review this with the shop and request your $500 back. A competent tech would have looked at it and in 15 minutes should have understood they couldn't get caster or camber so it was a waste of time spending the next 2 hrs and 45 mins fiddling and only accomplishing a toe adjustment which is now meaningless.

All the Best,

Pautab1

Nope, that’s expensive. I looked at the PDF you attached and it took them 12 hours to install springs??? That seems crazy to me

Stenzel-Germany

Hi asaddd,

This bill is completely excessive. For almost $4300 you got:
Adjusting the toe and installing the springs, and the trunk thing?

The actuator replacement was completely unnecessary. This is not the cause of your problem.
In addition, 5 hours for this exchange is also too much. 2 hours if you are slow.
Also with "lube as best as possible" . :-) :-)

3 hours for the toe? With tolerance I see 1 hour.
This setting was very important due to the springs.
Even if the rest was not feasible due to the missing Kit.

Installing the springs takes a while. You have to remove much panels at the trunk and reinstall them.
Remove the shock absorber assemblies and install the new springs.
But never 12 hours. 6 hours without stress and the work is done.

If you do everything for the first time, as a layman, it can take more time.
It does not matter. You don't get paid and you don't have to pay anyone.

As a professional who calculates 168 + USD, it should be a little faster.


Best regards

Stenzel

hyperion667

What in the actual F?? Sorry you're going through this, GL to you!

asaddd

Yeah, if they would have added the shims. The shop asked me to buy my own shims, come back and pay another 500 to add the shims, also he told me the control arm would have to come off. so it would be a very expensive job. Right now driving on a 3.5 CAMBER i think positive (the wheels are visibly outwards from the bottom)

asaddd

Thanks , lesson is I will pay another $200, to align it properly. Will take it to the MB DEALER.

asaddd

Thanks, I am also 100% positive. I will scammed. He brought the bill down to 2200$. I guess I check this shop as incompetent (btw the exhuast flaps failed again) and go to the dealership for a proper alignment. The back tires has so much camber, that the car fishtails easily with some gas put on it. (less traction due to camber, I am assuming).

thebishman

The alignment sounds dangerous as is; get it done correctly at the dealership or an independent shop that actually knows what they’re doing. Give the shysters who ripped you off 0/5 stars on Google reviews, etc.

Pautab1

That’s interesting because I googled the shop and they had good reviews so that’s why OP went there? The reviews were mainly from Porsches it seems so not sure they have experience with MB. Appreciate OP for sharing their experience as always good to know when you’re being stiffed.